Looking @ a used RX8 - help?
 

So I'm interested in a 2004 RX-8 that's available locally, call Mazda's Service department with the VIN number and I go down the list of things specific to the RX-8 that I know I need to ask them. The first is whether the engine's been replaced or not.

It has.

Twice.

Once in 2004, then again in 2006. I asked him the mileage on the current engine and he said it doesn't give him any of that info, just if something was done or not.

Second, I asked about the MSP 13 and he said he'd never heard of it but that it shows the MSP 16 was performed on it. Also no info beyond that...

My question is, should I be considering this car anymore? They're asking $9750. It's had 2 owners (the first of which I'm guessing flooded the engine in 2004 then who knows what happened in 2006), it's got 65k miles on it and I'm expecting to see it/drive it today.

Thanks

In my opinion, you can definitely find a better deal. The price is too high for a 2004 with 60K+ miles on it. Regardless, if you can get the price down, get a compression test done. Also, get all the service records you can that the owner has. Get pictures if you can too.

i've already had to bring them down from $10,500 so i'm not sure that i can bring them down further... and i've never seen a 2004 RX8 with less than 60k miles on it at a lower price honestly. I was looking at another one that had 45k miles and they were asking $11k.

They just all seem to hover at around $10k and the range of miles is anywhere from 45k-100k+

Where are you located? Prices of cars vary widely depending on location.

When it comes to a 2004 model, you should really consider paying a little extra to get the lower mileage and (hopefully) better condition.

Again, most important thing to do if you're seriously interested in this car is to get a compression test done and inquire about service records from the owners.

Another thing - ask the owners why the engine was replaced twice. Although this is more of a good thing than a bad thing, this information could be very helpful.

Thanks, I'm expecting to see all the service records available from the owner when i swing by (1.5 hours away... not exactly on my way to anything) to check it out.

I'm located in Salt Lake City, Utah. They're about 1.5 hours north of me in a town called Tremonton.

Can compression tests be performed by any mechanics or does it have to be a rotary certified or Mazda dealership? Tremonton is almost an hour away from the nearest Mazda dealership and i have no clue if the small town has mechanics that are rotary certified or even competent...

and about your second post, Mazda doesn't know, and this is the second owner (they've had it less than a year - husband bought it without consulting the wife, now they wanna get rid of it), so only the first owner would know and i doubt i'll be able to reach him/her...

This can be done by an mechanic or anybody that has access to a rotary compression tester. These can be purchased online (I've seen them go for $360 for single-rotor testers). It might be worth it to see if there are any RX-8 owners on this forum who live near you who might own a compression tester they would let you borrow. You can also put a WTB thread on here and you might get one for cheaper.

Call up some shops around Tremonton and see if the mechanics can perform compression tests on a rotary engine before you drive so far to go see the car.

Too bad you can't figure out about the engine replacements. But a new engine is almost never a bad thing in these cars.

Any pictures?

Thanks, I'll have to call around real soon. Here's some pics. It looks like it was well taken care of to me, which is why i'm mostly focused on the Carfax (she's providing it for me) and other records.

oh and the trunk lid picture is because if i buy the car, i wanna replace the trunk lid with a spoilerless one

Looks very clean. It's the exact same as my car, down to the color, interior, etc. I get an incredible amount of compliments on it, and I'm sure you will too if you end up buying it.

So a little checklist:
Carfax
Compression Test
Service Records and History
Tire Tread
Overall Body/paint/interior Condition
Test Drive

Have you ever drove an '8 before?

I'm also from SLC, and to be honest with you I would be weary of purchasing this car without a full history of service records to back you up. Also, with it being an '04 the engine warranty expiration is approaching quickly. As for the price, this seems to be about typical, though I have seen many '05 and '06 models with roughly the same mileage for about the same price as your seller is asking for.

If you do decide to purchase this 8, get a compression test first. That being said, you should have no issue getting a reliable test done at any of the Mazda dealerships for around $80-100.

All the ones i've test driven have been from dealers, and they've all been absolute crap and still asking $10-11k...

On one of them, the smell of the clutch was bad inside and REALLY bad once i stepped out after some spirited driving.

On another, the interior was poorly taken care of and the clutch made a horrible grinding sound as i pulled my foot off the pedal while shifting down (less audible while shifting up - they said they'd fix but it was blue, asking $10k + fees, etc etc).

The last one they were pissed with me for not buying.... But the car battery died BEFORE the test drive lol, then again after trying to drive out of the lot. There was a really high-pitched whistling noise which the dealer insisted during the test drive was just the sound of the rotary engine (i know it's higher pitched than other cars, but this was a whistling sound at a much higher frequency - "dude, i know what the engine is supposed to sound like) and of course he didn't like me very much for saying i'd have to get it looked at by a mechanic that's NOT their own.

That's when i started looking on here for refresher advice (i've researched forever and been a member since 2004 but mostly inactive until i started looking at used ones recently).

But so i think i know what it should feel like overall.

Thanks a bunch for the shorter checklist (i had the huge one from the sticky post - will probably take that with me still)

Redmond07, yeah she does have all the service records, i just have to go up and see them (and she's a little tech-challenged so she's sent the Carfax twice and still not getting through - that's just how i got the VIN).

Compression test it is, had that on my list too. I just can't take it to Mazda from Tremonton. 45 minutes away is a long drive, i'm gonna see if other mechanics can do the test closer to her

Sorry guys I'm doing this on my iPhone while I wait for the mechanic to perform a compression test and other basic checks. I've been going through all the paperwork the owner has given me and I'm a bit worried this may not be such a good deal. Maybe it is? My biggest concern is the corporate owner for the first 20k miles of this car's life. Here's what I jotted down from my research via the paperwork.

They paid 9700 purchase price, plus all fees and taxes = $11,000 (asking me to pay 9500, down from $10,500)
3 owners
** * 1 corporate (don't know who), 460 miles - 20k miles
** * owner #2 20k miles - 63k miles
* current owner #3: 63k miles to current (roughly 65k miles - husband bought without consulting wife 9 months ago)
2 engine replacements (2004 and 2006 - 2006 replacement may be while corporate or right after owner #2 purchased car - not sure)
Engine floods 2007 and 2010
Clear bra (want to remove)
Scratches (want to fix)

car was no good... plenty of cosmetic problems, compression was consistently at 80psi, power delivery felt weak, brakes were pulsating like crazy... bah

Ah, sorry man. At least you were able to check it out and make sure. Keep on looking, you'll find the perfect RX-8 soon enough

You could find another rx8 with better condition than that. Good luck on searching.

yeah definitely gotta keep looking. They're just fewer and farther between here in little old Utah, but i'm sure i'll find one at some point